How many drives does PT8 need?

[[email protected]]

Hi,

I read somewhere that a PT8 LE system should optimally have at least three hard drives, and a fourth if you want to score video:

i) a system drive on which PT is loaded;
ii) an audio drive where all audio files live;
iii) a sample drive where all sample files live; and,
iv) a video drive where all video files live.

Does anyone know if this is this correct?

[Craig F]

for optimum performance yes it is correct
you don't do video? that's down to 3
you don't use VIs much? that now 2 drive you really need

[[email protected]]

Thanks Craig for getting back to me.

[EGS]

Plus, don't forget backups. I'm using an ext 1TB USB drive for backups, and I always make DVD archives of my PT session folders. Backup backup backup.

[[email protected]]

Very good point.... I back-up on an external UBS drive....

[chrisdee]

4 drives to run pro tools, and 4 drives to back it all up

[iriegeorge]

I have never used more than 2 drives, system and audio. Never have had any issues with this set-up. I know plenty of guys who use more and also the old "round robin" technique, which truly dispise! I do BU all my sessions to other drives when complete, only current sessions on audio drive. i store more samples on my system and copy into whatever session I need one for. i always verify that my sessions are pointing to there correct session folder on the audio drive, for all elements of that session, takes a few extra minutes but makes it easier in the end for me. i will say one thing though, if you have more than one person using a single system it can get a bit more troublesome, not everyone takes the time to verify everything. Even when I am doing video, i keep it all together.

[shredhed]

I have been using 2 drives for a year now with little problems either....I have a FW drive for my audio but am thinking of stretching to 3 for my samples. I know that FW is necessary for audio recording/playback - Would the same hold true for storing samples??


Thanks

[M-ManLA]

I have four.

System Drive
Audio Drive A
Video Drive
Reason Drive

I will get a fifth for a second audio drive.

[scar97]

All drives I use are internal glyph sata (I know they are expensive but I like insurance)

C: drive- system only and ONLY anything that has to do with system160GIG
D: Drive- Audio for protools 320 GIG
E: Drive- for samples 500 Gig
F: Drive- Finished Mixes 500 gig

about 10 WD passport USB drives that I keep images of everything on.
I also use DVD to back up second level of redundancy

AND just to make sure I have my own server that everything gets backed up each evening. BUT I am running 3 systems (the other 2 are for post production. That is a whole other topic)